Lacson said terrorism, human trafficking, plunder, treason, and drug-related crimes should be under the coverage of the proposed restoration of the death penalty law, as an alarming surge of heinous crimes in recent years has shown that life imprisonment, as capital punishment, failed to be a deterrent to grave offenders.

“Hence, to reinstate public order and the rule of law, there is an impending need to revisit and re-impose the death penalty on certain heinous crimes which, as ratiocinated by RA 7659 or the Death Penalty Law, is appropriately necessary due to the alarming upsurge of such crimes which has resulted not only in the loss of human lives and wanton destruction of property but also affected the nation’s efforts towards sustainable economic development and prosperity while at the same time has undermined the people’s faith in the government and the latter’s ability to maintain peace and order in the country,” Lacson said in the explanatory note of his bill.

The measure has been submitted to the Senate Legislative Bills and Index and is expected to be tackled immediately upon the opening of the 17th Congress in July 25.